Four-legged models all the talk at fashion show

Lynn Warshawsky, of Dickson City, walks her dog, Fannie, dressed as a caterpillar for National Dog Day as the Little Sisters of the Poor host their annual pet fashion show.

JASON FARMER / TIMES-SHAMROCK Melly, a terrier shih tzu mix, walks by residents at Holy Family Residence on National Dog Day. The Little Sisters of the Poor hosted their annual Dog Days of Summer pet fashion show Tuesday.

The models walked the runway in bandanas, scarves, jerseys and butterfly wings.

Some were naked, except for their fur coats.

Regardless of their style choices, the canine models earned nothing but applause from the senior citizens who call Scranton’s Holy Family Residence homes.

“It brings a lot of joy and happiness to the residents,” said Jackie Galvin, director of development and communications for the home.

Staff and friends of the Little Sisters of the Poor’s Holy Family Residence brought their dressed-up dogs to the residence’s auditorium on Tuesday for the fourth annual Dog Days of Summer pet fashion show, which coincided with National Dog Day.

Bob Bartosavage, a kitchen worker at the residence, came with two dogs. His 15-year-old Shiba Inu Nash modeled a Pittsburgh Steelers bandana to represent where Bartosavage rescued the small white pup.

“We’re both seniors,” said Bartosavage, 70, of Scranton.

Bartosavage made a fashion choice of his own, wearing a Yankees jersey to counteract the Red Sox jersey worn by his daughter’s dog, Soco.

One dachshund inched down the runway dressed as a caterpillar while Maddie, a 2-year-old beagle and therapy dog, showed off a leopard-print scarf from her favorite store — her owner Charlotte Hughes’s dresser.

“It’s her favorite scarf,” said Hughes, 64, of Greentown.

Mother Maureen Weiss said the dog fashion show often brings residents good memories of times past.

“You can see what it does,” she said, gesturing toward dogs leaping into the laps of smiling residents.

Peggy Evans, 81, of the residence’s independent apartments brought a familiar face to the show — her prized Shitzu-Poodle mix, FeFe.

“She’s everybody’s greeter,” Evans said, adjusting FeFe’s pink butterfly wings. “We go to Mass every day and sit outside. She bows when she goes into the chapel and she bows when she goes out of the chapel.”

Evans looks forward to dressing FeFe up for the show.

“I don’t have any more daughters to dress up, so I dress her up,” Evans said. “She understands everything I say and do.”

sscinto@timesshamrock.com, @sscintoTT

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